So here I am, back LCing again after a long absence, having a really good week -- and trying new things.

First, was Bulletproof Coffee. Seriously, butter in coffee? I was skeptical. But no, it was really good. And satisfying. Awesome!

Next, I was reading up on ACV tonics. Again, skeptical -- not about the benefits, really (in addition to the nutrients, I have a tendency towards bladder infections, so the vinegar is a good thing) but about the taste. Really? Vinegar?

This stuff is GOOD. I took the advice of a couple of different websites and added a tsp. of baking soda, in case it's hard on my stomach. Organic unfiltered vinegar + Stevia + baking soda in water? Fizzy and actually delicious. Plus, it gave me a much-needed mid-afternoon boost.

Thanks for all the information you guys share. It's good to be back in the loving arms of low carb.

I drink ACV in flavored lemon water, or 'hint water' or some other infused water. After a few days, you actually crave it because it is SO refreshing. It is so good for you. 3 Tblsp. spread out daily.

Honestly, for myself...my edema in my feet and ankles went away. So did my foot pain and the tenderness around the ankle bones. My feet look normal and my knees don't hurt like they used to. This in itself is really proof of nothing in the medical world. But my , skin & joints sure are happy!

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That which does not kill me....had better run like hell!!!

My husband used to drink it every night, but I never got into it. He drank it straight, though, diluted with water. I never thought to add sweetener. Might have to try it today, I have some Bragg's raw ACV in the fridge. Do you have any info on adding the baking soda? I hadn't heard of doing that before either. I'm concerned it would negate some of the positive effects of the vinegar, but I have no idea really!

Be careful, drinking acv throughout the day can weaken enamel, especially if you are sipping on the drinks. Whenever I have salad that has acv as part of the dressing I make sure to rinse my teeth/mouth with water right after (don't brush right after because that's even worse).

I do know this much -- don't do vinegar straight! It's VERY acidic, and could damage your throat. Even with the tonic, you should rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth afterwards, because prolonged use can damage your tooth enamel.

The baking soda thing is to offset the acidity of the vinegar for taste and the sake of your stomach. 1/2 tsp. in the water, add the vinegar, wait for the fizz to due down somewhat, drink.

If at first you don't succeed, try doing it by the book...It's not a stall when you're cheating!If you don't want to do something, one excuse is as good as any other. (Yiddish Proverb)~Proud to be a Famous Banta Babe~

The baking soda thing is to offset the acidity of the vinegar for taste and the sake of your stomach. 1/2 tsp. in the water, add the vinegar, wait for the fizz to due down somewhat, drink.

I guess I still don't understand if the baking soda is negating some of the benefits of the ACV. Baking soda is alkaline and ACV is acid (though I realize ACV is considered "alkalinizing" in the body) so by combining them together you are neutralizing at least some of the acid in the vinegar. I assume at least some of the benefits of the ACV is in it's acidity? Or not?

The vinegar is, indeed, alkalinizing, and baking soda is an alkaline, as well. A fellow named Dr. Theodore Baroody wrote a book called "Alkalize or Die" (which I haven't read, I got this from Livestrong) and he says: "By mixing them in the correct proportions, their combined acidic and alkaline properties create a drink with a near-perfect pH of seven, which slightly alters the body's pH. Pour 2 tbsp. organic apple cider vinegar into a tall glass. Use organic vinegar to avoid impurities and pesticide residue that may affect the pH. Add to the vinegar, 1/2 tsp. baking soda. Allow the mixture to foam until there is no fizz remaining. Add 8 oz. water or more and drink the entire mixture all at once. It will taste like flat water and is not unpleasant. Although there is no scientific research concerning the effects of this mixture, anecdotal evidence indicates it may create an almost immediate change in the body's pH."

I do know this much -- don't do vinegar straight! It's VERY acidic, and could damage your throat. Even with the tonic, you should rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth afterwards, because prolonged use can damage your tooth enamel.

The baking soda thing is to offset the acidity of the vinegar for taste and the sake of your stomach. 1/2 tsp. in the water, add the vinegar, wait for the fizz to due down somewhat, drink.

Definitely don't brush your teeth afterward! Just swish some water around in your mouth to clear it out... I hear brushing your teeth after acidic things makes matters worse, not better

And yeah, DEFINITELY don't drink it straight! It can burn your esophagus and do some really nasty things that way... always in a tall glass of water, and if 1T is too much for you try a teaspoon or two instead! I started out with 2tsp originally and then upped it to 1T myself

Definitely don't brush your teeth afterward! Just swish some water around in your mouth to clear it out... I hear brushing your teeth after acidic things makes matters worse, not better

And yeah, DEFINITELY don't drink it straight! It can burn your esophagus and do some really nasty things that way... always in a tall glass of water, and if 1T is too much for you try a teaspoon or two instead! I started out with 2tsp originally and then upped it to 1T myself

I always use a straw with ACV tonics too. I did the tonics for a few months and my teeth became very sensitive. Had to use special toothpaste for a few weeks to get my teeth back to normal. Now I always use a straw and have no problems.

How many tonics a day should we be drinking. Since this is new to me, what are the health benefits? Why should we be drinking this? i used to drink 1 tbsp of ACV straight to get rid of pregnancy heartburn, believe it or not it took away the burn that not even the strongest prescription pills could.

I did have leg cramps before! Moreso when I actually drank alcohol still (which I assume was because it dehydrates you and I was constantly running to the bathroom, which depletes your electrolytes) but I was still getting them up until recently too... just less severe thankfully. I drink the ACV tonics 3x a day every day (4x a day during TOM) and I haven't had leg cramps lately at all! I also don't get TOM cramps anymore either, and retain far less water now too. 1 pound this month, versus 4 the month prior to starting my potassium supplementation. I also take 99mg in the morning with my multi, and an extra 99mg at night during TOM too

I really do think the ACV helps! I've read somewhere that it helps with inflammation too, and I'd believe it because the joint pain I used to have all the time has all but ceased too... all I take is a multi, magnesium, and potassium right now

You can also google "apple cider vinegar health benefits" for more information, because there's a LOT of different things it does for the body I've found that it's helped clear my skin up a lot too I think, and I actually use it mixed with water as a toner... it's a great anti-bacterial from what I've read, so it helps clear up blemishes if you have any. I usually wet a cotton swab with it whenever I have a pimple, and dab some (mixed with water!) on there a few times a day and within a day or so it's drying up and going away. That's HUGE for me because I used to struggle with breakouts all the time.

I also hear it boosts the immune system, and while I can't say for sure... I'd believe it. I haven't felt remotely under the weather since starting it

I've just read up on it and I can't believe it took me this long to see how many health benefits this stuff has. My question is, how much and how many times a day are you supposed to drink it and so you all have any good drink recipes for this?

I've just read up on it and I can't believe it took me this long to see how many health benefits this stuff has. My question is, how much and how many times a day are you supposed to drink it and so you all have any good drink recipes for this?

It's really up to personal tastes I think. If you're not familiar with the tang of the flavor of ACV you might want to start small. I started with 2 teaspoons in a tall glass of water 3x per day (morning, afternoon, night... not really with meals, just in between) and then worked my way up to 1 tablespoon 3x a day now. Like I was mentioning, I drink 4 glasses each day when it's TOM time and it really seems to help me to get the extra in It works as a great hunger suppressor too imo in between meals!

As far as drink recipes goes, I usually use those flavored stevia drops. They're expensive, but last a LONG time. I'm sure you could probably use some of the fruity flavored syrups too if you had those instead, or even some powder from a Crystal Light packet.

I normally take a tall glass of water and add 1T of Braggs ACV, and about 6 drops of the lemon flavored stevia. I bought some fruit punch flavor too I want to try, and also berry. Believe it or not, one of the ladies at the health food store told me yesterday too that they like the vanilla creme flavor with the ACV so I might try that soon too. They said it was delicious!

Maybe it's just a craving manifesting itself, but I swear, when you add the 1/2 tsp baking soda and no sweetener, it tastes like really flat beer. I let the hubs try it, and he thought the same thing! We used to always do beer and pizza on Sunday nights, so now I'm wondering if I mixed it with some sort of fizzy water if I may be able to have pretend beer and cauliflower pizza Sunday, lol!

I bought some BraggsACV yesterday, and also, they had some Braggs ACV drinks made already. I got a ginger one and a limeade one. I brought the limeade one this morning and I just can't get past the vinegar taste. I almost rather just measure a tbsp of ACV out and drink it straight to get it over with.

I bought some BraggsACV yesterday, and also, they had some Braggs ACV drinks made already. I got a ginger one and a limeade one. I brought the limeade one this morning and I just can't get past the vinegar taste. I almost rather just measure a tbsp of ACV out and drink it straight to get it over with.

Ouch, yeah definitely don't do that! That's really dangerous and can cause some damage to your body if you drink it straight. I've never tried the pre-made drinks, but I would imagine they'd be much stronger than what I mix... the vinegar taste when it's mixed in a tall glass of water with some sweetener or flavoring is pretty mild, and since you're supposed to pretty much drink it quick with a straw you bypass a lot of the flavor anyway. I usually set the straw back behind my teeth and just suck it down as quick as possible... I do enjoy the flavor of it though, I just do that for the benefit of my teeth

If you enjoy cream soda at all and have any vanilla-like sweetener, maybe try that? When I use my vanilla stevia drops it tastes like flat cream soda or almond like flat rootbeer... it's really nice, and I almost wish I didn't have to chug it!